Expandible mandrel assembly

ABSTRACT

An expandible and contractible mandrel assembly of the type used for coiling metal strip. The disclosed assembly includes means permitting both lubricant and cooling fluid to be supplied internally of the mandrel during mandrel rotation.

United States Patent 1 Gross et al.

[ EXPANDIBLE MANDREL ASSEMBLY {75] inventors: John Gross; Arthur L.Lind, both of Salem, Ohio [73] Assignee: Gulf & Western IndustrialProducts Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

221 Filed: July 16, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 842,238

[52] US. Cl 242/72.1, 72/342, 72/393, 242/78.l

[51] Int. Cl B6511 75/18 [58] Field of Search 242/721, 72, 78.1; 184/6K, 6 W, 6 D, 24; 72/342, 393, 146, 148

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1944 Ottinger 72/342 Aug.28, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,278,788 11/1961 France242/72.1

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Gregory A.Walters Att0mey-Meyer, Tilberry and Body [57] ABSTRACT An expandible andcontractible mandrel assembly of the type used for coiling metal strip.The disclosed assembly includes means permitting both lubricant andcooling fluid to be supplied internally of the mandrel during mandrelrotation.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures EXPANDIBLE MANDREL ASSEMBLY The presentinvention is directed toward the winding and reeling art and, moreparticularly, to an improved expandible mandrel of the type used forwinding metal strip.

The invention is especially suited for use as a hot strip downcoilermandrel and will be described with particular reference thereto;however, as will be appreciated, the invention is capable of broaderapplication and can be used in winding and reeling of many types ofmaterials under widely varying operating conditions.

During the manufacture of hot rolled metal strip, the strip is normallycoiled on a mandrel after it leaves the last mill stand. Typically, themandrel is cantileverly mounted and arranged to be expanded andcontracted so that the coiled strip can be easily removed.

Generally, means are provided for supplying lubricant to the internalparts of the mandrel while the mandrel is at rest. Additionally, sincethe mandrel is subjected to intense heat, means must be provided forcooling it. Normally, cooling is accomplished by water cooling appliedexternally to the outer surfaces of the mandrel. Since the outersurfaces of the mandrels are subjected to extreme heating followed bysudden cooling, this method of cooling has caused the surfaces to becomeheat checked and cracked.

Although mandrels have been designed with provision for lubrication ofthe internal parts during mandrel rotation, the typical design haspermitted lubrication only while the mandrel is stationary. Likewise,some mandrels have been designed so that cooling water can be circulatedinternally of the mandrel during rotation; however, it has not beenpossible to supply both cooling water and lubricant internally of themandrels.

The subject invention provides an expandible mandrel assembly whereinboth lubricant and a cooling fluid can be simultaneously supplied to theinterior of the mandrel during mandrel rotation. According to theinvention, the mandrel includes a main, horizontally extending shafthaving outer segment members carried therein. Means are provided forshifting the segment members radially of the shaft. The shaft isrotatably mounted in cantilever fashion means are provided for supplyingboth cooling fluid and lubricant centrally of the shaft during mandrelrotation.

Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is the provision of amandrel wherein both lubricant and cooling water can be simultaneouslysupplied to the mandrel during mandrel operation.

Another object is the provision of a coiling mandrel wherein coolingwater can be supplied centrally through the mandrel for distributionagainst the undersides of the members which form the winding surface ofthe mandrel.

Yet another object is the provision of an expansible mandrel whereingrease or other lubricant can be continually supplied to the mandrelduring mandrel operation.

Still another object is the provision of an expansible mandrel of thetype described which is simple to manufacture and reliable in operation.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIGS. 1, la, & lb are a longitudinal crosssectional view through anexpansible mandrel formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe invention; and,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein showings are for the purpose ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not forthe purpose of limiting same, FlGS. 1, la and lb show the overallarrangement of the expandible mandrel assembly comprising the cantileversupported mandrel section A the support and drive section B and thefluid and lubricant supply section C.

The actual details of the mandrel section A are not of particularimportance to the invention; however, in the preferred embodiment shownthe mandrel includes a main, elongated central support shaft 10 which ismounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. Carried on the shaft 10and extending longitudinally thereof are segments 12 which define themandrels winding or support surfaces. The particular number of segmentsprovided could be varied but as shown in FIG. 2, the describedembodiment includes four of the sections 12 each having an outer arcuateextent of approximately Additionally, the segments have finger-likeportions 13 along their mating edges.

As is customary, the segments l2are arranged to be expanded andcontracted relative to the center shaft 10 so as to vary the effectiveouter diameter of the mandrel-The means for producing'the expansion andcontraction of the outer segments 12 comprise cooperating wedge surfacescarried on the underside of the segments l2 andthe outer surface of theshaft 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the underside of each of thesegments 12 includes a plurality of inclined wedge surfaces 14. Thewedge surfaces 14 could obviously be formed on separate elementsconnected to the segments 12; however, in the embodiment underconsideration, they are formed integrally with the segment. Carried onthe shaft 10 and arranged for cooperation with the wedge surfaces 14 arewedge bar members 16 each having a plurality of outwardly facinginclined wedge surfaces 18. The surfaces 18 are arranged to cooperatewith respective ones of the surfaces 14 so that when the segments aremoved axially of the central shaft 10 they are caused to have a radialcomponent of motion. The direction of longitudinal movement determineswhether the mandrel is expanded or contracted.

The wedge bar members 16 are connected to the inner shaft 10 by beingreceived in longitudinally extending grooves 20 having outwardlyextending recesses 22. The wedge bars 16 each include similar outwardlyextending portions 24 which are received in the recesses 22. This, ineffect, keys the wedge bars to the shaft 10. The wedge bars 16 aremaintained in the recesses by a washer 26 which is clamped against theouter end of the wedge shafts by a nut 28 received on a reduced diameterthreaded end portion 30 of the shaft 10. The nut 28 is retained on theshaft 10 by a split retainer ring 32 which isreceived in a groove 34formed in the shaft 10. At the inner end of the mandrel assembly A, thewedge bars 16 are retained in recesses 36 by retainer members 38connected to the shaft 10 by machine screws 40. As will be noted, theinner end of the segments 12 have a reduced portion 42 which extendsunder a recess 44 formed in the respective retainer plate 38.

As can be appreciated, by moving the segments 12 axially of the supportshaft they are caused to move in a radial direction. The means formoving the segments longitudinally comprise a push-pull rod member whichextends through a central opening 52 formed axially of the support shaft10. The rod 50 is arranged for free axial movement relative to thesupport shaft 10 by being carried in sleeve bearings 54' and 55 atopposite ends of support shaft 10.

At its outermost end the rod 50 is drivingly connected to the outer endsof the segments 12 in a manner which permits the segments to moveoutwardly of the shaft. In the subject embodiment, this is accomplishedby a spider member arrangement 54. The spider member assembly includes athreaded inner member 56 which is threadedly received on the threadedend portion 58 of the rod 50. A second generally annularly shaped member60 is carried on the outer threaded periphery of the member 56. As canbest be seen from FIG. 1, the member 60 extends outwardly into groovesor recesses 62 formed at the outer end of each of the segments 12. Themembers 60 and the corresponding recess 62 include overlapping portions64, 66 respectively. The member 60 is locked on the member 56 by member67 and nut 69.

The mandrel assembly A is mounted by a support assembly B so as toextend horizontally for rotation about its longitudinal axis. Thesupport assembly B is best shown in FIGS. 1a and lb. As shown, the innerend of the support shaft 10 has a reduced diameter portion 68 which isreceived in a sleeve member 70. The sleeve member 70 is keyed to thesupport shaft 10 by a key member 72 that extends between grooves formedin members 10 and 70. As can be seen, the sleeve member 70 is tapered atits inner end 74 and engages a corresponding taper 76 formed on theshaft 10. The sleeve 70 is retained on the support shaft 10 by a nut 80threadedly engaged with the end portion 82 of the shaft 10. Thetightening of nut 80 cuases the sleeve 70 to be firmly locked intoengagementwith the shaft 10. As will be noted, the outer sleeve 70 isrotatably mounted in bearings 84,86. The bearing 84 is in turn supportedby any suitable frame structure 88. Bearing 84 is retained on the sleeve70 by a retainer ring keyed to the sleeve 70 by a key 92. A nut member94 binds the retaining ring 90 against the inner race of the bearing 84and forces it against the outwardly extending flange 96 flange 96 formedon the sleeve 70. The bearing 86 is similarly arranged and lockedagainst a flange forming ring 100 by a retainer ring 102 keyed to thesleeve 70 by a key 104. A nut member 106 binds the retainer ring againstthe bearing.

The mandrel assembly can be drivingly rotated in any convenient manner.In the embodiment under consideration, the mandrel is rotated by a driveassembly (not shown) acting through a gear 108 keyed to the sleeve 70.As shown, the gear 108 is received on the sleeve and positioned betweena radially extending flange 110 and member 100.

The apparatus thus far described is of a somewhat conventionalarrangement; however, of particular importance to the invention, is thearrangement whereby the mandrel can be expanded and contracted whileboth lubricant and cooling water are supplied to the expandible mandrelsection during its rotation. Referring in particular to FIG. lb, it willbe noted that the means for actuating the push-pull rod 50 comprise adoubleacting cylinder 112 which is drivingly connected to the push-pullrod 50. The rotating hydraulic cylinder 112 includes a central cylinderforming portion 114 having end plates 116 and 118 releasably connectedthereto by machine screws 120. The end plates 116,118 are sealed, forexample, by O-rings 122 received in grooves formed in the end plates.

Positioned within the cylinder forming member 114 is a piston assembly124. The piston assembly 124 can be of a variety of types but is shownas comprised of a first annularly shaped piston 126 carried on a pistonrod 128. The piston rod 128 has an outward extending flange portion 130which engages one face of the piston member 126. A nut member 132 isreceived on the threaded portion 134 of the piston rod 128 to lock thepiston 126 against the flange 130. A lock nut 134 is provided to holdthe nut 132 in position.

The left hand end of the piston rod 128 is connected to the rear end ofthe push rod 50. In the embodiment under consideration, the piston rod128 and the rear end of the push-pull rod 50 are connected by a splitring adaptor 138. The adaptor 138 merely comprises two semi-circularmembers 140 having internal tongues received in external grooves 142 and144 formed externally on the push-pull rod 50 and the piston rod 128,respectively. The two halves 140 of the adaptor are interconnected bymachine screws.

In the embodiment under consideration, the hydraulic cylinder 112 isfree to rotate with the mandrel assembly A. The cylinder assembly 112has its end plate 116 connected through a split adaptor 148 with theinnermost end of the mandrel shaft 10. The adaptor 148 is similar toadaptor 138 and comprises two half sections having inwardly extendingtongues formed on their inner surfaces which extend into grooves 150 and152 formed on the outer surfaces of the shaft 10 and the end plate 116,respectively. The two halves of the connector 148 are interconnected inany convenient manner such as through the use of machine screws.

In order to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 112 to produce thedesired expansion and contraction of the mandrel during rotation, theapparatus includes a rotatable fluid connection 160. The connection isarranged so that fluid can be supplied to the cylinder 112 duringrotation of the mandrel. In the embodiment under consideration, theconnection 160 comprises a cylindrical housing member 162 having and endclosure plate 164 connected thereto by plurality machine screw 166. Aninternal distribution member 167 is mounted within the cylinder member162 and is sealingly carried therein by a plurality of O-ring member168. The distribution member 167 is provided with three circumferentialrows of openings 170, 172 and 174. These openings are aligned with thefluid supply pipes 176, 178 and 180 respectively. The pipes are receivedin threaded openings formed in the side of the sleeve or cylinderforming member 162. Although not shown the pipes are respectivelyconnected to the required fluid sources. Extending centrally within thedistribution member 167 and sealed therein by plurality of O-ring seals182 is a shaft member 184. The shaft member 184 is connected to theright hand end of the piston rod 128 by a plurality of machine screws186. The shaft 184 is rotatably carried within the cylinder 162 by apair of ball bearings and 192. This permits outer housing to remainstationary while the shaft 184 rotates therein. The shaft is sealedwhere it exits from the housing by a plate 194 and a seal 196.

To cause the piston to be moved in the desired direction, hydraulicfluid is supplied through lines 176 and 178. These lines are connectedto chambers 200 and 202 of the rotating hydraulic piston assembly 112.It will be noted that openings 170 in the distribution member 167 areconnected through a line 206 which extends through the rod or shaftmember 184 and the end of piston rod 128 to the chamber 200. The fluidline 178 is similarly connected to a line 208 with the chamber 202. Themotion of the piston and, accordingly, the expansion-contraction of thecylinder are controlled by controlling the admission of the hydraulicfluid through lines 176 and 178. Although the valves and other meansrequired for controlling this fluid are not shown, it should beunderstood that these can be of any conventional type.

Of particular importance to the invention are the means whereby bothlubricant and cooling fluid may be supplied to the outer mandrelassembly A during its rotation. In particular, the lubricant is suppliedthrough the fluid line 180 and the distributor member 167 to the line210 which is formed through the shaft 184 and the end of the piston rod128. This line connects with a central line 212 formed in the left handend of piston rod 128 and the right hand end of the push rod 50. Theline 212 extends into push rod 50 a short distance and is connected byradially extending lines 214 with the annular gap 216 between the bore52 and push rod 50. This annular gap provides communication between theline 212 and a plurality of radially extending openings 218 which arebored through the shaft and the wedge members 16. Each of the lines 218is connected with a cam surface 18. As can be appreciated, thisarrangement permits grease to be continuously supplied to the camsurfaces 18 and 14. The supply can take place without regard to whetherthe mandrel is stationary or rotating or without regard to the positionof the segments 12.

The arrangement for permitting cooling water to be supplied to the innerportion of the mandrel includes a rotatable connection 220 which ispositioned between the inner end of the sleeve 70 and the rotatinghydraulic piston 200. This rotatable connection 220 includes acylindrical portion 222 closed at its opposite ends by end plates 224.The end plates 224 are connected to the cylindrical member 222 andsealingly engaged with the outer surfaces of the reduced diameter endportion 226 of the shaft 10. Positioned within the cylindrical member222 and sealingly engaged with the end portion 226 is a distributormember 228. Member 228 is provided with a plurality of radiallyextending openings 230. The openings 230 provide communication from afluid supply line 232 and radially extending openings 234. As will benoted, the shaft portion 226 of shaft 210 is mounted so as to be freelyrotatable within the sleeve 222. For this reason, the bearings 236 arepositioned at opposite sides of the distribution member 228.Additionally, it should be understood that the pipes are connected tothe supply sources by flexible lines so that during actuation thehousings are free to move in the longitudinal direction.

As can be seen, the radially inwardly extending openings 234 connectwith longitudinally formed openings or passageways 240. In theembodiment under consideration, there are four of the openings 240spaced uniformly about the shaft 10. These openings 240 are communicatedwith openings 242 which extend through the support portion of the shaft10 to a point beyond the support bearings 84. At that point, radiallyextending openings 244 connect the passageways 242 with thelongitudinally extending passageways 246 which, as best shown in FIG. 1and 1A, extend through out the length of the mandrel section A atlocations between each of the wedge 0r cam bars 16. Connecting betweenthe outer surface of the support shaft and the passageways 246 are aplurality of small spray or outlet openings 250. Referring to FIG. 2 itwill be noted that the passageways 246 and the outlets 250 are arrangedso as to direct cooling water generally toward the underside of thesegments at a location near the juncture of adjacent segments. Thispermits cooling water to cool both the interior and exterior surfaces ofthe seg' ments.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to anyone ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. Obviously,modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment will occur toothers upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is myintention to include all such modifications and alterations as part ofmy invention in so far as they come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An expandible and contractible winding mandrel assembly comprising: arotatably mounted horizontally extending support shaft; a plurality ofsegment members extending longitudinally of said shaft and defining theouter surface of said mandrel; means for causing said segment members tomove radially of said support shaft; first means for continuouslysupplying lubricant to a position between said segment members and saidmeans for causing said segment members to move radially; and secondmeans for supplying coolant through said support shaft to said segmentmembers.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including means for directingcoolant from said support shaft to the under surfaces of said segmentmembers.

3.,The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means comprisesan opening extending longitudinally through said support shaft.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including means for directing saidcoolant from the support shaft to the undersurfaces of said segmentsalong the lateral edges of said segment members.

5. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means comprisesa first opening extending longitudinally through the support shaft andconnected with a rotary connecting means, and wherein said second meanscomprises second openings extending longitudinally through said shaft atpositions spaced radially and circumferentially of said first opening.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said segment membersinclude cam means facing said support shaft, said means for causing saidsegment members to move radially include cooperating cam meansassociated with said support shaft, and said first means includesopening means extending through said support shaft and said cooperatingcam means for supplying lubricant between said cam means and saidcooperating cam means.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said cam means includes aplurality of first cam surfaces and said cooperating cam means includesa plurality of secsecond means for supplying coolant through saidsegment members includes first coolant passageway means extendinglongitudinally through said support shaft and second coolant passagewaymeans leading from said first coolant passageway means and directingcoolant to said segment members at longitudinally spaced apart locationsalong the length thereof.

1. An expandible and contractible winding mandrel assembly comprising: arotatably mounted horizontally extending support shaft; a plurality ofsegment members extending longitudinally of said shaft and defining theouter surface of said mandrel; means for causing said segment members tomove radially of said support shaft; first means for continuouslysupplying lubricant to a position between said segment members and saidmeans for causing said segment members to move radially; and secondmeans for supplying coolant through said support shaft to said segmentmembers.
 2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including means fordirecting coolant froM said support shaft to the under surfaces of saidsegment members.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfirst means comprises an opening extending longitudinally through saidsupport shaft.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including means fordirecting said coolant from the support shaft to the undersurfaces ofsaid segments along the lateral edges of said segment members.
 5. Theassembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises afirst opening extending longitudinally through the support shaft andconnected with a rotary connecting means, and wherein said second meanscomprises second openings extending longitudinally through said shaft atpositions spaced radially and circumferentially of said first opening.6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said segment membersinclude cam means facing said support shaft, said means for causing saidsegment members to move radially include cooperating cam meansassociated with said support shaft, and said first means includesopening means extending through said support shaft and said cooperatingcam means for supplying lubricant between said cam means and saidcooperating cam means.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 6, whereinsaid cam means includes a plurality of first cam surfaces and saidcooperating cam means includes a plurality of second cam surfacescooperatively disposed relative to said first cam surfaces, and whereinsaid opening means includes a lubricant passageway extendinglongitudinally through said support shaft and lubricant passageway meansleading from said lubricant passageway to the area between each of saidcooperatively disposed first and second cam surfaces.
 8. The assembly asdefined in claim 7, wherein said second means for supplying coolantthrough said segment members includes first coolant passageway meansextending longitudinally through said support shaft and second coolantpassageway means leading from said first coolant passageway means anddirecting coolant to said segment members at longitudinally spaced apartlocations along the length thereof.